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A simple procedure for the preparation of microcrystals of insoluble copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) by thermolysis of a dimethoxy-substituted precursor has been developed. Although the morphologies of the resultant microcrystals are practically independent from initial solution concentrations higher than ca. 0.03 mM of the dimethoxy-precursor, crystals with increased width are obtained with increasing the initial concentration of the precursor.

The synthesis, and spectroscopic and magnetic properties of quadruple-decker phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been reviewed. While the presence of stacked mercury Pc oligomers was proposed as early as 1992, the isolation of a quadruple-decker Pc was first achieved in 2010. Herein, we review how the synthetic strategy for quadruple-decker Pcs has come to be conceived from the recent development of cadmium Pc oligomers, which will be followed by illustration of unique physicochemical properties originating from the structure of the quadruple-decker frameworks. In the spectroscopy section, the electronic structures of the quadruple-decker Pc are discussed based on the theoretical and experimental results. A simple molecular orbital (MO) method predicts that energy gaps among the occupied frontier MOs of the quadruple-decker Pc become smaller than those of double- or triple-decker Pcs, leading to the observation of exceptionally low-lying electronic transitions for the oxidized quadruple-decker Pcs. It has been confirmed that the corresponding lowest π–π* electronic transitions reach the infrared region for the one-electron oxidized quadruple-decker Pcs. In the magnetic property section, a clear evidence of the long-range magnetic dipole–dipole f–f interactions between two f-electronic centers of diterbium quadruple-decker Pc is provided, and its magnetic relaxation phenomena arising mainly from quantum tunneling magnetizations (QTMs) will be discussed by using the alternate current (ac) magnetic susceptibility data, and the numerically calculated Zeeman diagram of the f-electronic centers in the quadruple-decker Pc.

A trivalent manganese complex of a non-planar 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaphenylphthalocyanine derivative, 3, has been synthesized by treating metal-free 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaphenylphthalocyanine, 2, with manganese(II) chloride in refluxing DMF. X-ray crystallography has revealed that the complex adopts a highly-deformed skeletal conformation due to steric congestions between the substituted bulky phenyl groups. Although mass spectrometry results provide no indication of the presence of axial ligands, the crystal data clearly show that the manganese ion is coordinated axially by a chloride ion in addition to the four equatorial isoindole nitrogen atoms. The oxidation state of the manganese center of 3, therefore, has been assigned to 3+. Electronic absorption spectra revealed that the Q-band of 3 shows a significant bathochromic shift compared to that of the planar Mn ( III ) phthalocyanine 4 and non-planar metal-free phthalocyanine 2. The analysis of MCD and UV-vis spectra suggests that the absorption band observed at 555 nm for 3 is LMCT in origin. Electrochemical investigations indicate that the first oxidation couple is ligand-centered. Since the HOMO of 2 is destabilized due to the synergetic effects of the electron-donating phenyl groups at the non-peripheral positions and the deformed π-electronic skeleton, the resulting manganese complex 3, is anticipated to also have a ligand-centered HOMO. The results of spectroelectrochemistry confirm that the first oxidation process of 3 is indeed ligand-centered. DFT calculations indicate that the MO amplitudes of the HOMO and LUMO localize mainly on the Pc ligand and the manganese ion, respectively, also supporting the assignments of the cyclic voltammograms. By combining the manganese ion and non-planar Pc ligand, a novel, stable near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing material has been achieved in the present study.

Electrocatalytic properties of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), cobalt tetra-carboxy phthalocyanine (CoTCPc) and cobalt octa-carboxy (CoOCPc), towards the detection of dicrotophos have been studied. Catalytic behavior towards the reduction of dicrotophos was found to be dependent on the pH, as well as the substitution on the phthalocyanine ring. Strong electron withdrawing groups on the phthalocyanine ring yielded best catalysis as evidenced by the enhancement of the reduction peak current, (~5 fold) compared to the bare glassy carbon electrode. The analysis gave a good detection limit of 1.25 × 10-7 M, and good linearity for the studied concentration range. A high Tafel slope value was obtained, indicating a strong interaction between dicrotophos and the cobalt phthalocyanine complex.

New covalently C(60)-conjugated phthalocyanine (Pc) analogues in which the Pc and C(60) components are connected by means of a four-membered ring have been synthesized by taking advantage of a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of C(60) with benzyne units generated from either a phthalocyanine derivative (8) or its precursor (1). The reaction of 1 with PhI(OAc)(2) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) followed by the [2+2] cycloaddition of C(60) in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) yielded the C(60)-substituted Pc precursor (3). Mixed condensation of 3 and 4,5-dibutylsulfonylphthalonitrile (4) in a thermally promoted template reaction using a nickel salt successfully gave the Pc-C(60) conjugate (5). Results of mass spectrometry and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy clearly indicate the formation of the anticipated Pc-C(60) conjugate. Direct coupling of C(60) with the Pc analogue that contained eight peripheral trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups (8) also proceeded successfully, such that mono and bis C(60)-adducts were detected by their mass, although the isolation of each derivative was difficult. The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of 5 and the reference compound (7) differ from each other in the Q-band region, thereby suggesting that the presence of the C(60) moiety affects the electronic structure of the conjugate. The reduction and oxidation potentials of 5 and 7 obtained by cyclic voltammetry are comparative, except for the C(60)-centered reduction couple at -1.53 V versus Fc(+)/Fc in o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB). A one-electron reduction of 5 and 7 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) by using the sodium mirror technique results in the loss of band intensity in the Q-band region, whereas the characteristic marker bands for Pc-ring-centered reduction appear at around 430, 600, and 900 nm for both compounds. The final spectral shapes of 5 and 7 upon the reduction resemble each other, thus indicating that no significant molecular orbital (MO) interactions between the C(60) and Pc units are present for the reduced species of 5. In contrast, the oxidized species of 5 and 7 generated by the addition of NOBF(4) in CH(2)Cl(2) show significantly different absorption spectra from each other. Whereas the broad bands at approximately 400-550 nm of 7(+) are indicative of the cationic π-radical species of metallo-Pcs and can be assigned to a transition from a low-lying MO to the half-filled MO, no corresponding bands were observed for 5(+). These spectral characteristics have been tentatively assigned to the delocalized occupied frontier MOs for 5(+). The experimental results are broadly supported by DFT calculations.

The integration of phenylamine-functionalised SWCNTs (SWCNT-phenylamine) with a novel cobalt (II) octa[(3,5-biscarboxylate)-phenoxy] phthalocyanine (CoOBPPc) complex has been described. The physical and electrochemical properties of the CoOBPPc-SWCNT-phenylamine hybrid were evaluated using spectroscopy (IR and UV–vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy and electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Integration of SWCNT-phenylamine resulted in the physical transformation of the CoOBCPPc from the usually bluish colour of cobalt phthalocyanine complexes to a beautiful bright green colour. In addition, the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics and electrocatalytic properties of the CoOBCPPc were greatly enhanced following the attachment of the SWCNT-phenylamine. The potential electrocatalytic application of the hybrid was tested using β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as a model biological analyte. Interestingly, the onset oxidation potential of this analyte was significantly reduced (300 mV) by this hybrid compared to the bare electrode.

New covalently C60-connected zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives have been synthesized by utilizing successive cycloaddition reactions of C60 with a ZnPc derivative containing a pyridazine moiety employing Komatsu's method in reaction of C60 with phthalazine. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of the fused conjugate (5) shows red shifts from the corresponding absorption of ZnPc derivative (8), indicating interactions between the ZnPc and C60 moieties. The DFT calculations under non-polar medium predict that the HOMO and LUMO of 5 localize on the ZnPc moiety, whereas LUMO+1 localizes on the C60 moiety, which reasonably explain the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and absorption spectra in toluene. Electrochemical redox potentials of 5 in polar solvents indicate the first-oxidation potential arises from the ZnPc moiety, whereas the first reduction potential is associated with the C60 moiety, suggesting the LUMO localizes on the C60 moiety in polar solvent. This reversal of the LUMO is supported by the ZnPc-fluorescence quenching with a nearby C60 moiety in benzonitrile, which leads to the charge-separation via the excited singlet state of the ZnPc moiety. In toluene on the other hand, such a ZnPc-fluorescence quenching owing to the photoinduced charge separation is not observed as predicted by the DFT-calculated LUMO on the ZnPc moiety.

Mixed condensation of 1,2-dicyanofullerene (1) and 3,6-dibutyloxyphthalonitrile (2a) in the presence of nickel chloride dihydrate ( NiCl2·2H2O ) in quinoline forms an α-hexabutyloxy-substituted tribenzotetraazachlorin (TBTAC)-fullerene ( C 60) conjugate (3). UV-vis absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) properties of 3 have been obtained, and the results compared with those of the β-substituted isomer (4). Although the absorption spectra of 3 and 4 are similar in shape, a significant band shift to longer wavelength is observed for 3. According to the results of DFT calculations, the observed spectroscopic differences are ascribed to differences in the distribution of the MO amplitudes at the α- and β-positions of the TBTAC moiety.

We introduce some representative studies from our laboratory, mostly from the 21st Century. We are interested in the synthesis, optical spectroscopy, such as magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), circ...

Novel hexabutylsulphonyltribenzotetraazachlorin–fullerene (C60) complexes of iron (FeHBSTBTAC–C60) and cobalt (CoHBSTBTAC–C60) have been synthesized and their electrochemistry and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared with their octabutylsulphonylphthalocyanine analogues (FeOBSPc and CoOBSPc). It is proved that electron-withdrawing substituents (–SO2Bu and C60) on phthalocyanine macrocycle exhibit distinct impact on the solution electrochemistry of these metallophthalocyanine (MPc) complexes. The more electron-withdrawing C60 substituent suppressed ORR compared to the –SO2Bu in alkaline medium. FeOBSPc showed the best ORR activity involving a direct 4-electron mechanism, a rate constant of ∼1 × 108 cm3 mol−1 s−1 and a Tafel slope of −171 mV dec−1. Keywords: Metal (Fe, Co) phthalocyanine–C60, Cyclic voltammetry, RDE experiment, Oxygen reduction

Porphyrins (Por) and phthalocyanines (Pc) exhibit lightharvesting efficiency for producing charge-separated states as models of the reaction center in photosynthetic bacteria and photovoltaic cells for energy conversion. The use of supramolecular assemblies to model the functionality of the reaction center is an attractive and fruitful strategy to develop photofunctional materials and devices. Porphyrins exhibit strong Soret bands around 400 to 450 nm, whereas phthalocyanines show strong Q bands around 700 to 800 nm. Thus, the combination of those two p systems can cover nearly the whole range of the visible region and can be a useful strategy for development of photofunctional materials for efficient light-energy conversion. Attempts have so far been made to synthesize covalently linked Por–Pc heterodyad molecules and construct Por–Pc heterosupramolecules. Recently, ZnPor and ZnPc have been reported to form two-dimensional arrays on gold surfaces, and the formation of a cofacial ZnPor–ZnPc coordination tetrad has also been reported. However, a crystal structure determination of a discrete supramolecular assembly composed of both Por and Pc has yet to be reported. In addition, since the Q-band absorption of Pc usually overlaps the wavelength of fluorescence of Por, energy transfer is favored over electron transfer in most heterodyads. We have developed supramolecular assemblies based on a saddle-distorted nonplanar porphyrin, dodecaphenylporphyrin (H2DPP), and its metal complexes. [11–13] The saddle distortion facilitates protonation of pyrrole nitrogen atoms to allow access to a stable diprotonated porphyrin, which can act as an electron acceptor. In addition, the saddle distortion affords higher Lewis acidity at the metal center to maintain axial coordination of ligands, as a result of poor overlap of the pyrrole nitrogen lone pair orbitals with d orbitals of the metal center. In contrast, the Zn complex of the saddle-distorted phthalocyanine 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaphenylphthalocyanine (H2OPPc) exhibits a lower oxidation potential relative to the corresponding porphyrin complex. To construct supramolecular conglomerates composed of both porphyrin and phthalocyanine in a well-defined manner, we have taken advantage of saddle distortion of both components. Herein, we report formation of a discrete supramolecular assembly composed of H4DPP 2+ and [Zn(OPPc)] connected by 4-pyridinecarboxylate (4-PyCOO ) with coordination and hydrogen bonding (Figure 1). The supramolecular conglomerate [(H4DPP){Zn(OPPc)(k-N-4-PyCOO)}2] (1) was synthesized by reaction of [H4DPP](4-PyCOO)2 (2) and Zn(OPPc) (3) in toluene. We crystallized and isolated 1 in pure form by vapor diffusion of hexanes into solution of the mixture in toluene. X-ray crystallography of 1 unambiguously established its structure (Figure 2a).

The synthesis, and spectroscopic and magnetic properties of quadruple-decker phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been reviewed. While the presence of stacked mercury Pc oligomers was proposed as early as 1992, the isolation of a quadruple-decker Pc was first achieved in 2010. Herein, we review how the synthetic strategy for quadruple-decker Pcs has come to be conceived from the recent development of cadmium Pc oligomers, which will be followed by illustration of unique physicochemical properties originating from the structure of the quadruple-decker frameworks. In the spectroscopy section, the electronic structures of the quadruple-decker Pc are discussed based on the theoretical and experimental results. A simple molecular orbital (MO) method predicts that energy gaps among the occupied frontier MOs of the quadruple-decker Pc become smaller than those of double- or triple-decker Pcs, leading to the observation of exceptionally low-lying electronic transitions for the oxidized quadruple-decker Pcs. It has been confirmed that the corresponding lowest π–π* electronic transitions reach the infrared region for the one-electron oxidized quadruple-decker Pcs. In the magnetic property section, a clear evidence of the long-range magnetic dipole–dipole f–f interactions between two f-electronic centers of diterbium quadruple-decker Pc is provided, and its magnetic relaxation phenomena arising mainly from quantum tunneling magnetizations (QTMs) will be discussed by using the alternate current (ac) magnetic susceptibility data, and the numerically calculated Zeeman diagram of the f-electronic centers in the quadruple-decker Pc.

Unexpected formation of seco-tribenzoporphyrazines from nickel- or palladium-template macrocyclization reaction of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline as a sole starting material has opened a novel access to this class of molecules. Seco-tribenzoporphyrazines exhibit strongly-split Q band absorption, basically typical of tetraazachlorin-like electronic structures, which are discussed in detail based on UV–Vis absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopies and theoretical calculations.

A two dimensional colormap analysis program customized for phthalocyanines and related macrocyclic compounds has been developed in order to effectively visualize the atomic displacements from the mean plane. Eleven known phthalocyanine structures, including super- and subphthalocyanines, have been analysed as examples using the program, and the distribution of the skeletal deformations within the molecules surveyed.

The first β-oxatetraazachlorin derivatives have been synthesized starting from phthalonitrile derivatives and 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine-2,4-dione instead of the previously employed tetramethylsuccinonitrile. Absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectral properties are similar to those obtained for the corresponding tetramethyl-substituted TAC derivatives, confirming the presence of the low-symmetry aromatic structures.

A sterically congested tetraphenyl-substituted dibenzo-tetraaza-isobacteriochlorinato nickel derivative unexpectedly reacts with methanol at room temperature to release internal molecular strains, leading to the formation of a ligand having a skeleton bearing two cis-methoxy substituents.

Free base and zinc 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octa(p-methoxyphenyl) phthalocyanine have been synthesized. The Q-bands are located beyond 800 nm due to combined effects of red-shifts caused by ligand deformation and the electron-donating properties of the methoxy substituents. The phthalocyanines reported in this study could potentially replace naphthalocyanines as absorbers in the 800 nm region within practical applications.

Spectroscopic investigations have been performed for the oxidized forms of two quadruple-decker phthalocyanine complexes in order to clarify the electronic structures of multiply stacked π-systems. Up to three-electron-oxidized species were isolated by using phenoxathiin hexachloroantimonate as the oxidant. As the oxidations proceed, the Q-bands in the visible region shift bathochromically along with the clear isosbestic points. The one- and three-electron-oxidized species exhibited typical π-radical signals in the ESR spectra, while the neutral and two-electron oxidized species gave no indication of the presence of π-radicals. The electronic transitions observed for the oxidized species reach even into the so-called fingerprint region in IR spectroscopy (~1000 cm(-1)). With the aid of theoretical calculations, these bands can be assigned to the π-π* transitions. Our results provide new insights into π-electronic systems having exceptionally small MO energy gaps.

Molecular adlayers of doubly C(60)-conjugated phthalocyanine derivatives ((C(60))(2)NiPc) were examined on bare and zinc(II) octaethylporphyrin (ZnOEP)- and coronene-modified Au(111) surfaces. Electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) has revealed the structure of the (C(60))(2)NiPc adlayer at single molecular level. The (C(60))(2)NiPc adlayer is strongly influenced by the underlying organic layers, i.e., a disordered, a packed structure of (C(60))(2)NiPc was found on a clean Au(111) surface because of the strong interaction between (C(60))(2)NiPc molecule and Au(111) substrate, whereas a single (C(60))(2)NiPc molecule was clearly distinguished both on ZnOEP and coronene adlayers at a low coverage of (C(60))(2)NiPc molecules. The obtained results in the present study suggest that the underlying organic adlayers play an important role in the formation process of the (C(60))(2)NiPc molecule adlayer.

We introduce some representative studies from our laboratory, mostly from the 21st Century. We are interested in the synthesis, optical spectroscopy, such as magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), circ...

The synthesis, and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of hydrogenated tetraazaporphyrins (TAPs), namely tetraazachlorins (TACs), tetraazabacteriochlorins (TABCs) and tetraazaisobacteriochlorins (TAiBCs), have been reviewed. While the first synthesis of this type of hydrogenated aromatic macrocycle was achieved as early as 1958 by Linstead et al. (G. E. Ficken, R. P. Linstead, E. Stephen and M. Whalley, J. Chem. Soc., 1958, 3879), the development of modern synthetic strategies enables us to isolate stable forms of the hydrogenated TAP derivatives. Benzo-, 2,3-naphtho- and 1,2-naphtho-fused derivatives were synthesized extensively, and all structural isomers have been elucidated. The chemical structures have been characterized using a variety of techniques, including mass spectrometry, 1H and 13C NMR, X-ray crystallography and IR spectroscopy. The spectroscopic properties (e.g., electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and fluorescence) of these compounds differ significantly from those of the original TAPs, or phthalocyanines (Pcs), due to the symmetry-lowering effects of the core aromatic macrocycles. The experimentally observed properties have been rationalized on the basis of electrochemical studies and quantum chemical calculations. As an application of the TAC skeleton, the synthesis and electronic structures of tribenzo TAC (TBTAC)-C60 conjugates, in which both components are covalently connected directly and thus show remarkable molecular orbital (MO) mixing between the constituting moieties, have also been reviewed.

Publisher Summary Phthalocyanine (Pc) was first synthesized in 1907, so the first centenary of Pc research is fast approaching. Because the heteroaromatic Pc ligand has a strong blue color and is chemically stable, Pc complexes have been used extensively in pigments and dyestuffs for more than 70 years. Pcs have also been used as catalysts for the removal of sulfur from crude oil; as charge-generation materials in xerography; in optical read/write discs; as photodynamic reagents for cancer therapy; in deodorants, germicides, and anti-bacterial reagents; and as growth promoting and retarding agents of plants. Other active fields of Pc-related research include applications in or as chemical sensors, electrochromism, conductors, semiconductors, and photovoltaic elements for electricity generation, one dimensional metals, non-linear optics, electrocatalysis, liquid crystals, Langmuir-Blodgett films, and electrophotography. Although most research results have been published as patents, academic research has become very intensive over the past 20 years.

The synthesis of a series of zinc phthalocyanines partially phenyl-substituted at the 1-, 4-, 8-, 11-, 15-, 18-, 22-, and/or 25-positions (the so-called alpha-positions) is reported. Macrocycle formation based on 3,6-diphenylphthalonitrile, o-phthalonitrile, and zinc acetate predominantly yielded the near-planar disubstituted complex and opposite tetrasubstituted isomer, while the lithium method yielded the sterically hindered hexasubstituted complex and adjacent tetrasubstituted isomer. All compounds have been characterized by 1H NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, and elemental analysis methods. In addition, crystal structures have been solved for the di-, hexa-, and octasubstituted complexes and the adjacent tetrasubstituted isomer. DFT geometry optimization calculations predict more highly deformed structures than those observed in the crystals. The packing force of the crystals cannot therefore be ignored, particularly for the less phenyl-substituted derivatives. The crystal structures have revealed that overlap of the phenyl groups causes substantial deformation of the phthalocyanine (Pc) ligands within the crystals, while strong pi-pi stacking in the remainder of the Pc moiety lacking phenyl substituents can suppress the impact of the deformation. Absorption spectra show sizable red shifts of the Q-band with increasing number of phenyl groups. Analysis of the results of absorption spectra and electrochemical measurements reveals that a substantial portion of the red shift is attributable to the ring deformations. Molecular orbital calculations lend further support to this conclusion. A moderately intense absorption band emerging at around 430 nm for highly deformed octaphenyl-substituted zinc Pc can be assigned to the HOMO-->LUMO+3 transition, which is parity-forbidden for planar Pcs, but becomes allowed since the ring deformations remove the center of symmetry.

The electronic absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectral data of a phthalocyanine dicopper complex that is deduced to be very planar and to share a common benzene ring have been studied by band deconvolution analysis. The results were compared with those of the molecular orbital (MO) calculations within the framework of the Pariser−Parr−Pople (PPP) approximation. The results of the band deconvolution analysis are in good agreement with those of the PPP calculations, allowing many bands to be reasonably assigned on the basis of the MO calculations. The validity of the PPP method for the MO calculation of large molecules is also emphasized.

The reaction of a double-decker phthalocyanine (Pc) complex, bis(phthalocyaninato)lutetium ([LuPc(2)](-)), with cadmium acetate at 400 degrees C for 30 min under argon provided the first example of a discrete quadruple-decker Pc complex, 1. The structure of 1 was unambiguously determined through the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and NMR techniques such as (1)H-(1)H COSY, (13)C-(1)H COSY, and NOE experiments. The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of 1 resembled those of [LuPc(2)](-) and [Lu(2)Pc(3)] rather than those of the neutral double-decker species [LuPc(2)](0), since the formal charge on each Pc moiety is 2-. Electrochemical measurements exhibited a stacking effect based on the delocalization of the holes or electrons introduced by oxidation or reduction, respectively, over the entire complex.

A reaction of 1,2-dicyanobenzene and lithium methoxide at 70 °C in methanol yielded the half-phthalocyanine intermediate, which coordinates to a cadmium(II) ion in the subsequent reaction step to give the first example of a six-coordinate phthalocyanine analogue containing a divalent metal ion at the center.

Metal complexes of a highly deformed 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaphenylphthalocyanine have been synthesized, and found to show various colors ranging from bright green, ocher, and red depending on the central metal employed.

Two terbium ions in a triple-decker complex (Pc)Tb(Pc)Tb(T(p-OMe)PP) (Pc = phthalocyaninato, T(p-OMe)PP = tetra-p-methoxyphenylporphyrinato) have shown sharply different magnetic behaviours depending on symmetry of the coordination polyhedron. The fast quantum tunnelling relaxation process in a square-prismatic site has been revealed to be hindered by magnetic-dipolar coupling between the f-electronic systems.

Homo and heteronuclear quadruple-decker phthalocyanine tetramers containing Y(3+) and/or magnetically anisotropic lanthanide ions such as Tb(3+), Dy(3+), and Er(3+) have been synthesized, and their magnetic properties have been elucidated, giving clear evidence of the long-range interactions between two f-electronic centers.

A highly deformed [1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaphenylphthalo-cyaninato(2-)]iron(II) has been synthesized, and found to show absorption bands which may be assigned to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the near-IR region beyond the Q-band in pyridine, due to lowering of molecular symmetry to D2d from D4h symmetry of normal metallophthalocyanines.